Former Israeli Minister of Education Shulamit Aloni argues that Apartheid is already happening in the West Bank under Israeli rule. This item by Shulamit Aloni, the Israeli Prize laureate who once served as Minister of Education under Yitzhak Rabin, is from Yediot Acharonot, Israel's largest circulating newspaper, which appeared in the Hebrew Ynet but not in the English-language Ynetnews. It is tranlated by Sol Salbe, an Australian editor, whose comments are in [square brackets]. Hebrew original: http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3346283,00.html Yediot Aharonot, Israel's largest circulating newspaper Indeed there is Apartheid in Israel A new order issued by the GOC Central command bans the conveyance of Palestinians in Israeli vehicles. Such a blatant violation of the right to travel joins the long list of humans rights violations carried out by Israel in the [Occupied] Territories. by Shulamit Aloni Jewish self-righteousness is taken for granted among ourselves to such an extent that we fail to see what's right in front of our eyes. It's simply inconceivable that the ultimate victims, the Jews, can carry out evil deeds. Nevertheless, the state of Israel practises its own, quite violent, form of Apartheid with the native Palestinian population. The US Jewish Establishment's onslaught on former President Jimmy Carter is based on him daring to tell the truth which is known to all: through its army, the government of Israel practises a brutal form of Apartheid in the territory it occupies. Its army has turned every Palestinian village and town into a fenced-in, or blocked-in, detention camp. All this is done in order to keep an eye on the population's movements and to make its life difficult. Israel even imposes a total curfew whenever the settlers, who have illegally usurped the Palestinians' land, celebrate their holidays or conduct their parades. If that were not enough, the generals commanding the region frequently issue further orders, regulations, instructions and rules (let us not forget: they are the lords of the land). By now they have requisitioned further lands for the purpose of constructing "Jewish only" roads. Wonderful roads, wide roads, well-paved roads, brightly lit at night - all that on stolen land. When a Palestinian drives on such a road, his vehicle is confiscated and he is sent on his way. On one occasion I witnessed such an encounter between a driver and a soldier who was taking down the details before confiscating the vehicle and sending its owner away. "Why?" I asked the soldier. "It's an order - this is a Jews-only road", he replied. I inquired as to where was the sign indicating this fact and instructing [other] drivers not to use it. His answer was nothing short of amazing. "It is his responsibility to know it, and besides, what do you want us to do, put up a sign here and let some antisemitic reporter or journalist take a photo so he that can show the world that Apartheid exists here?" Indeed Apartheid does exist here. And our army is not "the most moral army in the world" as we are told by its commanders. Sufficient to mention that every town and every village has turned into a detention centre and that every entry and every exit has been closed, cutting it off from arterial traffic. If it were not enough that Palestinians are not allowed to travel on the roads paved 'for Jews only', on their land, the current GOC found it necessary to land an additional blow on the natives in their own land with an "ingenious proposal". Humanitarian activists cannot transport Palestinians either Major-General Naveh, renowned for his superior patriotism, has issued a new order. Coming into affect on 19 January, it prohibits the conveyance of Palestinians without a permit. The order determines that Israelis are not allowed to transport Palestinians in an Israeli vehicle (one registered in Israel regardless of what kind of numberplate it carries) unless they have received explicit permission to do so. The permit relates to both the driver and the Palestinian passenger. Of course none of this applies to those whose labour serves the settlers. They and their employers will naturally receive the required permits so they can continue to serve the lords of the land, the settlers. Did man of peace President Carter truly err in concluding that Israel is creating Apartheid? Did he exaggerate? Don't the US Jewish community leaders recognise the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination of 7 March 1966, to which Israel is a signatory? Are the US Jews who launched the loud and abusive campaign against Carter for supposedly maligning Israel's character and its democratic and humanist nature unfamiliar with the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid of 30 November 1973? Apartheid is defined therein as an international crime that among other things includes using different legal instruments to rule over different racial groups, thus depriving people of their human rights. Isn't freedom of travel one of these rights? In the past, the US Jewish community leaders were quite familiar with the meaning of those conventions. For some reason, however, they are convinced that Israel is allowed to contravene them. It's OK to kill civilians, women and children, old people and parents with their children, deliberately or otherwise without accepting any responsibility. It's permissible to rob people of their lands, destroy their crops, and cage them up like animals in the zoo. From now on, Israelis and International humanitarian organisations' volunteers are prohibited from assisting a woman in labour by taking her to the hospital. [Israeli human rights group] Yesh Din volunteers cannot take a robbed and beaten-up Palestinian to the police station to lodge a complaint. (Police stations are located at the heart of the settlements.) Is there anyone who believes that this is not Apartheid? Jimmy Carter does not need me to defend his reputation that has been sullied by Israelophile community officials. The trouble is that their love of Israel distorts their judgment and blinds them from seeing what's in front of them. Israel is an occupying power that for 40 years has been oppressing an indigenous people, which is entitled to a sovereign and independent existence while living in peace with us. We should remember that we too used very violent terror against foreign rule because we wanted our own state. And the list of victims of terror is quite long and extensive. We do limit ourselves to denying the [Palestinian] people human rights. We not only rob of them of their freedom, land and water. We apply collective punishment to millions of people and even, in revenge-driven frenzy, destroy the electricity supply for one and half million civilians. Let them "sit in the darkness" and "starve". Employees cannot be paid their wages because Israel is holding 500 million shekels that belong to the Palestinians. And after all that we remain "pure as the driven snow". There are no moral blemishes on our actions. There is no racial separation. There is no Apartheid. It's an invention of the enemies of Israel. Hooray for our brothers and sisters in the US! Your devotion is very much appreciated. You have truly removed a nasty stain from us. Now there can be an extra spring in our step as we confidently abuse the Palestinian population, using the "most moral army in the world". [Translated by Sol Salbe] Source: http://files.tikkun.org/current/article.php?story=20070105080344465
UN Resolutions Against Israel, 1955-1992 1. Resolution 106: "...‘condemns’ Israel for Gaza raid" 2. Resolution 111: "...‘condemns’ Israel for raid on Syria that killed fifty-six people" 3. Resolution 127: "...‘recommends’ Israel suspend its ‘no-man’s zone’ in Jerusalem" 4. Resolution 162: "...‘urges’ Israel to comply with UN decisions" 5. Resolution 171: "...determines flagrant violations’ by Israel in its attack on Syria" 6. Resolution 228: "...‘censures’ Israel for its attack on Samu in the West Bank, then under Jordanian control" 7. Resolution 237: "...‘urges’ Israel to allow return of new 1967 Palestinian refugees" 8. Resolution 248: "...‘condemns’ Israel for its massive attack on Karameh in Jordan" 9. Resolution 250: "...‘calls’ on Israel to refrain from holding military parade in Jerusalem" 10. Resolution 251: "...‘deeply deplores’ Israeli military parade in Jerusalem in defiance of Resolution 250" 11. Resolution 252: "...‘declares invalid’ Israel’s acts to unify Jerusalem as Jewish capital" 12. Resolution 256: "...‘condemns’ Israeli raids on Jordan as ‘flagrant violation" 13. Resolution 259: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s refusal to accept UN mission to probe occupation" 14. Resolution 262: "...‘condemns’ Israel for attack on Beirut airport" 15. Resolution 265: "...‘condemns’ Israel for air attacks for Salt in Jordan" 16. Resolution 267: "...‘censures’ Israel for administrative acts to change the status of Jerusalem" 17. Resolution 270: "...‘condemns’ Israel for air attacks on villages in southern Lebanon" 18. Resolution 271: "...‘condemns’ Israel’s failure to obey UN resolutions on Jerusalem" 19. Resolution 279: "...‘demands’ withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon" 20. Resolution 280: "....‘condemns’ Israeli’s attacks against Lebanon" 21. Resolution 285: "...‘demands’ immediate Israeli withdrawal form Lebanon" 22. Resolution 298: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s changing of the status of Jerusalem" 23. Resolution 313: "...‘demands’ that Israel stop attacks against Lebanon" 24. Resolution 316: "...‘condemns’ Israel for repeated attacks on Lebanon" 25. Resolution 317: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s refusal to release Arabs abducted in Lebanon" 26. Resolution 332: "...‘condemns’ Israel’s repeated attacks against Lebanon" 27. Resolution 337: "...‘condemns’ Israel for violating Lebanon’s sovereignty" 28. Resolution 347: "...‘condemns’ Israeli attacks on Lebanon" 29. Resolution 425: "...‘calls’ on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon" 30. Resolution 427: "...‘calls’ on Israel to complete its withdrawal from Lebanon’ 31. Resolution 444: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s lack of cooperation with UN peacekeeping forces" 32. Resolution 446: "...‘determines’ that Israeli settlements are a ‘serious obstruction’ to peace and calls on Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention" 33. Resolution 450: "...‘calls’ on Israel to stop attacking Lebanon" 34. Resolution 452: "...‘calls’ on Israel to cease building settlements in occupied territories" 35. Resolution 465: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s settlements and asks all member states not to assist Israel’s settlements program" 36. Resolution 467: "...‘strongly deplores’ Israel’s military intervention in Lebanon" 37. Resolution 468: "...‘calls’ on Israel to rescind illegal expulsions of two Palestinian mayors and a judge and to facilitate their return" 38. Resolution 469: "...‘strongly deplores’ Israel’s failure to observe the council’s order not to deport Palestinians" 39. Resolution 471: "...‘expresses deep concern’ at Israel’s failure to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention" 40. Resolution 476: "...‘reiterates’ that Israel’s claims to Jerusalem are ‘null and void’ 41. Resolution 478: "...‘censures (Israel) in the strongest terms’ for its claim to Jerusalem in its ‘Basic Law’ 42. Resolution 484: "...‘declares it imperative’ that Israel re-admit two deported Palestinian mayors" 43. Resolution 487: "...‘strongly condemns’ Israel for its attack on Iraq’s nuclear facility" 44. Resolution 497: "...‘decides’ that Israel’s annexation of Syria’s Golan Heights is ‘null and void’ and demands that Israel rescind its decision forthwith" 45. Resolution 498: "...‘calls’ on Israel to withdraw from Lebanon" 46. Resolution 501: "...‘calls’ on Israel to stop attacks against Lebanon and withdraw its troops" 47. Resolution 509: "...‘demands’ that Israel withdraw its forces forthwith and unconditionally from Lebanon" 48. Resolution 515: "...‘demands’ that Israel lift its siege of Beirut and allow food supplies to be brought in" 49. Resolution 517: "...‘censures’ Israel for failing to obey UN resolutions and demands that Israel withdraw its forces from Lebanon" 50. Resolution 518: "...‘demands’ that Israel cooperate fully with UN forces in Lebanon" 51. Resolution 520: "...‘condemns’ Israel’s attack into West Beirut" 52. Resolution 573: "...‘condemns’ Israel ‘vigorously’ for bombing Tunisia in attack on PLO headquarters 53. Resolution 587: "...‘takes note’ of previous calls on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and urges all parties to withdraw" 54. Resolution 592: "...‘strongly deplores’ the killing of Palestinian students at Bir Zeit University by Israeli troops" 55. Resolution 605: "...‘strongly deplores’ Israel’s policies and practices denying the human rights of Palestinians 56. Resolution 607: "...‘calls’ on Israel not to deport Palestinians and strongly requests it to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention 57. Resolution 608: "...‘deeply regrets’ that Israel has defied the United Nations and deported Palestinian civilians" 58. Resolution 636: "...‘deeply regrets’ Israeli deportation of Palestinian civilians 59. Resolution 641: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s continuing deportation of Palestinians 60. Resolution 672: "...‘condemns’ Israel for violence against Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount 61. Resolution 673: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s refusal to cooperate with the United Nations 62. Resolution 681: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s resumption of the deportation of Palestinians 63. Resolution 694: "...‘deplores’ Israel’s deportation of Palestinians and calls on it to ensure their safe and immediate return 64. Resolution 726: "...‘strongly condemns’ Israel’s deportation of Palestinians 65. Resolution 799: "...‘strongly condemns’ Israel’s deportation of 413 Palestinians and calls for their immediate return.
USA is the world superpower. But unfortunately, israel is given a free pass to commit any violations of international law, and human rights. Israel is an apartheid country. It was formed on the blood and bones of Palestinians. There have never been any governments in the US, who took an even-handed approach to this conflict, may except Jimmy Carter. The MSM keeps feeding lies to the people, and people still believe, that the 1993 Oslo accords was a deal that could be taken. It was a farce, a whitewash... Everyone knew he Palestinians could not take that deal, because it was effectively an open-air prison, with the entry points, exit points, ports, airports, army, water, airspace... everything controlled by Israelis.
I had always these questions in mind.. I think USA is supporting Israel with help of lobby .. Why does USA support Israel ? What kind of relations do Israel and USA have ? Is it only because off Jews Lobby in USA ? Or is there any other deep relationship too ?
I live in israel. And what you are seeing from your tranquil home at the news, it's not what happening here. Every day, tens of rockets are coming from Gaza Strip and hitting kindergartens, schools, houses - without reason. Israel retreated from gaza Strip long time ago - so why they are still shooting us? Why we need keep providing them electricity, fuel, water? Why we need let trucks with food to pass, but actually, most of the trucks contain weapons? You need to understand, that if we will retreat from the West Bank too, We will get rockets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, not just in the periphery(I mean the rockets firing from Gaza Strip), because the West Bank is in the middle of our country.
So there's answer why you pulled your troops from Gaza: to keep West bank for good and that pullout has nothing to do with justice and giving back land you stole from Palestinians! I can't believe that after more than 60 years of occupation you still claim that someone shooting at you without any reason at all!
The IDF still operates "Jews only Roads", which criss-cross the occupied West Bank. That is apartheid. More and more land is being stolen from Palestinians, who live in desperate conditions. Why are there settlements in West Bank? Why isn't Gaza free? The IDF has hundreds of roadblocks in Gaza, and has sealed off the border, controls, water, airspace, electricity... Wouldn't you feel the same anger and frustration if you were a Palestinian? I cannot understand, why Israelis, who have suffered the holocaust, have lost all humanity? I understand you are talking about Sderot. But you must realize, that since the elections, the entire land of Palestine has turned into Bantustan, with crippling restrictions on economy, creating an utter shortage basic resources like food, medicines, water. The most unfortunate thing is that, most of the Israelis don't care what happens to Palestinians... all a result of decades of zionist propaganda which dehumanizes Palestinians and Arabs. Until there is Justice based on equality, there can never be peace.
It is a funny thing that happens when you elect a terrorist group to be your leader. There are consequences for such idiocy.
"Why isn't Gaza free? The IDF has hundreds of roadblocks in Gaza, and has sealed off the border, controls, water, airspace, electricity... Wouldn't you feel the same anger and frustration if you were a Palestinian? I cannot understand, why Israelis, who have suffered the holocaust, have lost all humanity?" You are just talking crap. there is no even 1 roadblock in Gaza Strip. We provide them food, water, electricity, fuel! Since we left Gaza Strip to the Palestinians, they are doing there the only think they know to do: murder. If you don't know, few months ago, Hamas take control of Gaza Strip. Hamas killed people from his own people. hundreds of Palestinians were murdered and executed - and not by us! by the Hamas! that doesn't recognize in Israel! 70% of the Palestinians support Hamas! which means - 70% of them wants to destroy us (Proof: http://www.ynet.co.il/PicServer2/02012008/1420616/HMS051_wh.jpg. The people are the Hamas's Leaders, and behind them you can see the map of Israel with the Palestinian flag on it). What do you have to say about this? P.S http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WLoasfOLpQ - Smart Syrian woman. watch this.(Of course that she isn't talking from Syria, she is talking from USA. if there is anyone that dare to say those things in Islamic country, he will be executed immediately).
Some statistics : 982 Palestinian children have been killed by Israelis since September 29, 2000 4,604 Palestinians have been killed since September 29, 2000 32,213 Palestinians have been injured since September 29, 2000 10,756 Palestinians are currently imprisoned by Israel 18,147 Palestinian homes have been demolished by Israel
So you would elect Mother Theresa to fight against occupation huh? Since when is choseing armed struggle against occupation is idiocy? Gee! After 60 years of occupation, after 700,000 people forced to leave their homes, after 100s of villages you destroyed I wonder why they don't like you and want to do same thing to you what you do to them...
what do I have to say about this? what do I have to say about this? hmmm........ you know, very hard question I will ask Mahatma Ghandi Mr. Mahatma Ghandi, what do you have to say about that? Mahatma Gandhi: source it seems like Mahatma Ghandi wants to destroy you too some Jews want to destroy you too, proof: http://www.nkusa.org/activities/demonstrations/20080126London/NK1-sm.jpg another proof: source besides if showing a map with Palestine flag on it, means they Palestinians want to destroy you, then Israel wants to destroy: whole Lebanon whole Jordan almost whole Syria about half Iraq big parts of Saudi Arabia big parts of Egypt proof: http://www.alfredlilienthal.com/mapcoin.GIF the above link is an Israeli coin with a map of what they call "Greater Israel" In his Complete Diaries, Vol. II. p. 711, Theodore Herzl, the founder of Zionism, says that the area of the Jewish State stretches: "From the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates." source and more proofs
Post about how many rockets are shot into Israel each day. Post about how many Palestinians are sent to their death just to they can kills Jews with a suicide bomb. Post about how Hamas openly calls for the destruction of Israel. Post about how Hamas not only attacks Israelis but also makes threats and has attacked and killed Americans. Post about how after Israel left Gaza - they chose not to be a productive people but rather to attack Israel. Post about how the Palestinians expect to be rewarded for attacking from Gaza? Post about how the Palestinians choose to smuggle weapons from Egypt and then claim they don't have necessities. Post about how the Palestinians elected leaders hide behind their own people by attacking Israel from populated civilian areas. Post about the reality of what is happening. Lastly, while I am sympathetic to Palestinian suffering, those numbers are meaningless. Usually, people post how 10 Palestinians were killed for every Israeli or some other ratio. What do people expect, that in a fight the casualties should be even? The losses reflect winning and losing - they do not reflect the righteousness of any sides position. That argument lacks logic. If suddenly the Palestinians kills more Israelis does that make them the bad guy?
browntwn, you are the only sane guy here so far. Every one else just eats the crap of the media or they are Arabs. imad - I never heard any Israeli Leader that saying Israel wants to destroy any country. from the other hand - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying that(Iran), Hamas(70% of Palestinians) saying that... The coin - well, I am living in Israel and I see this coin every day - and i never heard that it's the "Greater Israel" about it. and if it's true, it's just a story from the bible and there is any meaning to that. Neturei Karta - there is nuts people in every country - they are nuts, believe me. imad, from your things I understand that you want to destroy Israel too - so I wish you long and painful death.
Did Ghandi support suicide bomb attacks on innocent civilians? Did Ghandi support random rocket attacks aimed at civilians areas? If the Palestinians followed leaders like Ghandi the world would be a better place. Instead of a Ghandi they support leaders like Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Hassan Nasrallah.
So I must agree with what you are saying otherwise I am insane?!? Funny how you don't even try to dispute what we said. Instead of that you started with calling us insane. Gee! I never seen that from Israeli or anyone that supports Israel so far in my life hahahahahahahaha Yeah, Palestnians should elect Ghandi II for their leader and Israelis will return all land they stole right away!
Yeah, keep up the suicide attacks and electing terrorists, cause that works. I guess the peace Israel has with Egypt and Jordan is a mirage right?
They don't have peace with Egypt and Jordan, they are just piling up their Military that they get for free from the USA and when they have enough they will save the Arabs in Israel from genocide.